Silver Surfer Black is the perfect example of what happens when you give a great writer full control over whatever he needs to tell a long-form story that interconnects through several stories. Donny Cates takes a story that spins out of his Guardians of the Galaxy and delivers a story that shakes up the Surfer as you know him. Another part of the book that is just as, if not more, important is the art by Tradd Moore, who delivers a surrealist and trippy view of what happens to the Surfer after being drawn into the black hole. Helping cement the whole thing together is Dave Stewart’s coloring, which brings the imagery to bright, eye-popping light.
So what’s it about?
The official summary reads:
Spinning out of GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #1, almost the entire galaxy’s defenders have been blown through a black hole, including the Silver Surfer! But the story doesn’t end there… In order to fight back the oblivion, Surfer will have to fight to save his own soul and not lose himself to the void. Follow the Sentinel of the Spaceways on a journey that will change him forever!
From superstars Donny Cates (VENOM, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY) and Tradd Moore (ALL-NEW GHOST RIDER, VENOM)!
Tell me about it!
Silver Surfer Black has an art style very reminiscent of the other color books that were drawn by Tim Sale. The very surrealist look with bright vibrant colours really helps sell the fact that the Surfer is out of his element compared to how the cosmic is usually right up his alley. The art portrays everybody as misshapen due to the effects of a black hole (generated by the Black Order in Guardians of the Galaxy #1), messing with the laws of physics around them. Tradd Moore was the perfect choice for this series and everybody involved knows that, especially since they partnered him with star colorist Dave Stewart, who is known for his fantastic work with Darwyn Cooke on titles such as DC: The New Frontier, where his coloring techniques of bright and vibrant colors help to accentuate and elevate the great artists that he works with.
The writing within this issue is the usual brilliance that Cates brings. It’s got the fun, bombastic action while also being very character driven. The issue focuses on the Surfer’s feelings towards what he leaves behind as he’s potentially sucked into oblivion after using all of his powers to save everybody else. The Surfer evaluating his past doesn’t break any new ground by any means, but the way Cates does it as he’s spending what he considers to be his last moments saving others is a good way to frame it. I can’t really talk too much about this book considering I don’t want to spoil the ending, which is something that needs to be experienced rather than read.
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